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On clinics, the Secretary said ten of the 13 new clinics pledged in 1992 were already in operation. Of the remaining three, one has just been opened at Ma On Shan, the one at Ha Kwai Chung will be ready for commissioned shortly while the one at Tseung Kwan O is due for completion by 1997.
To cater for patients with special needs, Mrs Fok said that starting from the coming year, the Government would provide designated specialist consultation for 2,000 children with psychiatric disorders each year.
Efforts to improve the quality of life for chronically ill patients, asthma patients, patients with chronic spinal conditions, patients with sleep disorders, mentally ill and elderly patients will also be stepped up.
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Objective of reviewing old age allowance clarified
The Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, today (Monday) dismissed some wild rumours circulating about what the Government was planning to do on social security, in particular with regard to the old age allowance (OAA).
Reviewing her welfare policy commitments at the Legislative Council Welfare Services Panel, Mrs Fok said: "Let me start by emphasising that our objective in examining the QAA is not, and I repeat not, to cut expenditure.
"Rather, as is the case with any scheme which has been established for some time, the basic objective is to check that the scheme is still operating effectively.
"The review is still in hand and no conclusions have yet been reached. We shall, of course, consult you and other interested parties before any decisions or changes are made."
As regards improvements announced in the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Review which was completed in March, Mrs Fok hoped that by April next year she would be in a position to invite applications from elderly CSSA recipients who wished to continue to receive their CSSA payments while living in Guangdong.